NCIS – Season 11 originally aired on CBS starting on September 24, 2013. This season followed a period of major change for the Major Case Response Team led by Leroy Jethro Gibbs (played by Mark Harmon). The story picked up immediately after the events of the previous year, where the team faced a political threat from investigator Richard Parsons.
The season began with the team members scattered and Gibbs working a secret assignment in Iran. This initial arc resolved the legal pressure on the agency but led into the departure of a long-term character. Season 11 served as a transition point for the show, balancing the resolution of old conflicts with the introduction of new agents and different investigative styles.
Is NCIS – Season 11 Safe to Watch? (Age Rating Guide)
Official age rating not available.
Why You Should Watch NCIS – Season 11
NCIS – Season 11 provided a significant shift in the series dynamic. It focused on how the team functioned without Ziva David (Cote de Pablo) and how they integrated a fresh perspective into their workflow. The season combined high-stakes federal investigations with personal stories about the families of the main characters.
The Exit of Ziva David
The first two episodes of the season, “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” and “Past, Present, and Future,” focused on the departure of Ziva David. Tony DiNozzo (played by Michael Weatherly) traveled to Israel to find her after her life was threatened. This arc concluded their long-running partnership and gave the characters a chance to say goodbye.
Her exit forced the team to adjust to a new reality in the office. Tony struggled with her absence, which added a layer of emotional weight to the middle of the season. This transition was handled through direct character interactions rather than sudden changes, allowing the audience to process the loss alongside the characters.
The Arrival of Ellie Bishop
In the ninth episode, titled “Gut Check,” the show introduced Eleanor “Ellie” Bishop (played by Emily Wickersham). Bishop was an NSA analyst who had previously predicted a specific security breach. She brought a different energy to the NCIS office, often sitting on the floor to look at data and using a highly analytical approach to solve cases.
Unlike previous agents, Bishop did not come from a law enforcement background. Her struggle to adapt to field work and the specific rules of Gibbs provided a new source of conflict. The team had to learn how to utilize her specialized skills while teaching her the basics of crime scene investigation and suspect pursuit.
Key Storylines and Investigations
The middle of Season 11 focused on the hunt for a terrorist named Benham Parsa. This storyline involved several episodes where the team collaborated with other agencies to track down a criminal responsible for multiple attacks. The investigation tested the leadership of Gibbs and the technical skills of Timothy McGee (Sean Murray).
Another important development was the introduction of Delilah Fielding, a love interest for McGee. Her character was involved in a major incident that left her paralyzed, which led to a story about recovery and resilience. This added more depth to McGee‘s personal life outside of the office environment.
The 250th episode, “Dressed to Kill,” also took place during this season. It featured the return of Robert Wagner as Anthony DiNozzo Sr. and focused on a case involving a man dressed as a naval officer. This milestone episode emphasized the long-running history of the show and its supporting cast.
The Season Finale and Tributes
The finale of Season 11, titled “Honor Thy Father,” was a tribute to actor Ralph Waite, who played Jackson Gibbs. After Waite passed away in real life, the show wrote his death into the script. Gibbs returned to his hometown of Stillwater to handle his father’s affairs and reflect on their relationship.
This episode was quieter than the usual action-packed finales. It focused on the theme of legacy and the impact of fathers on their sons. It provided a grounded conclusion to a season that had been defined by change and new beginnings for the NCIS team.
The season also featured recurring appearances by FBI Agent Tobias Fornell (Joe Spano). His relationship with Gibbs continued to provide a mix of professional collaboration and personal humor. These moments helped maintain the tone that NCIS fans expected even as the main cast shifted.
For verified credits, release details, or official resources, visit IMDb and Official Site.
| Director | Not available |
|---|---|
| Main Cast | Mark Harmon, Sean Murray, Michael Weatherly, Brian Dietzen, David McCallum |
| Release Year | 2013 |
| Genre | Action & Adventure, Crime, Drama |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was NCIS – Season 11 released?
NCIS – Season 11 was released on September 24, 2013.
What is NCIS – Season 11 about?
When Season 10 ended in the series' biggest cliffhanger, the NCIS was virtually disbanded and Gibbs was aiming a rifle at the FBI agent responsible.
Where can I watch NCIS – Season 11?
NCIS – Season 11 is available on Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home.
Episode guide
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
An explosion at a D.C. event that results in a casualty connected to the agency changes Parsons’ perspective on Gibbs and the NCIS team.
Past, Present, and Future
Determined to locate Ziva, Tony chases leads in Israel in search of her current whereabouts. Meanwhile, Gibbs and the team continue the hunt for Parsa and his growing terrorist ring.
Under the Radar
The NCIS team must rely on Twitter for a case involving a missing Navy Lieutenant.
Anonymous Was a Woman
Gibbs and McGee travel to Afghanistan when a murder case leads them to an Afghan women’s shelter that Mike Frank secretly supported for years.
Once a Crook
DiNozzo returns to his Baltimore Police Department days when he sees a felony suspect from a 15-year-old case at the NCIS crime scene of a murdered Petty Officer.
Oil & Water
The Coast Guard Investigative Service works with the NCIS team when an explosion occurs on an oil rig.
Better Angels
After Gibbs leaves mid-case to help his father reconnect with a former war pilot, Tony and McGee argue over who should run lead on the team’s investigation into the murder of a Marine Sergeant.
Alibi
The team is forced to take another look at a hit-and-run murder case.
Gut Check
After discovering the Secretary of the Navy was bugged during a confidential briefing, NSA Analyst Eleanor Bishop, who predicted the security breach in exact detail two years ago, partners with the NCIS team on the case.
Devil’s Triad
Complications arise when the NCIS team discovers a link between a murder victim and the current boyfriend of Gibbs and Agent Fornell’s ex-wife.
Homesick
After a mysterious illness strikes children from military families, Gibbs and the team investigate the cause. Abby and Jimmy partner with the Naval Medical Research Center to determine the strain of illness, all in hopes of delivering a cure before the holidays.
Kill Chain
When a stolen drone is linked to the elusive terrorist Parsa, the NCIS team partners with the Department of Defense, including Gibb’s former girlfriend Hollis Mann, to track down the device before it is used for a large scale attack.
Double Back
In an effort to find the terrorist Parsa, Gibbs and the NCIS team track down one of his cohorts using evidence from the drone attack.
Monsters and Men
A port authority officer's murder reveals a possible location for Parsa, while Bishop reveals a past connection to the terrorist.
Bulletproof
After uncovering faulty bulletproof vests in a truck filled with stolen U.S.M.C. merchandise, the NCIS team attempts to locate both the source and any vests that had been shipped to military personnel overseas.
Dressed to Kill
Someone winds up dead when DiNozzo confronts a man impersonating a Navy officer.
Rock and a Hard Place
After a bomb detonates in the dressing room at a military charity concert, the NCIS team must determine if the target was a washed-up 1980s rocker or if the bomb was part of a larger scheme.
Crescent City (1)
When a former NCIS agent's body washes ashore in New Orleans, Gibbs reunites with NCIS Special Agent Dwayne Cassius Pride to determine if the murder was politically motivated or related to a well-known case.
Crescent City (2)
Gibbs and Special Agent Pride chase leads in New Orleans after evidence points to a copycat of the infamous Privileged Killer. DiNozzo, McGee, and the FBI continue to track political connections to the case from D.C.
Page Not Found
After returning to her job at the Department of Defense, McGee’s girlfriend Delilah finds a break in a controversial case, prompting her to turn to the NCIS team for help.
Alleged
After a Navy officer is found dead on a rural road, the NCIS team must ascertain if his death was the result of a bar fight or because he knew too much about an attack on a fellow female officer.
Shooter
When a Marine photographer disappears prior to providing his testimony in an Army court-martial hearing, the NCIS team investigates both the murder he witnessed, as well as his current piece on military veterans who are homeless in the D.C. area.
The Admiral's Daughter
Director Vance gives DiNozzo a special assignment to bring home an Admiral’s daughter from Paris, but he must turn to his NCIS team for help after he enters a controversial crime scene.
Honor Thy Father
The NCIS team investigates whether a fire on a U.S. Navy ship that served as a secret detention site for indicted terrorists was accidental or an intentional diversion for an escape.
Videos: Trailers, Teasers, Featurettes
Cast
Mark Harmon
Leroy Jethro Gibbs
Sean Murray
Timothy McGee
Michael Weatherly
Tony DiNozzo
Brian Dietzen
Jimmy Palmer
David McCallum
Dr. Donald 'Ducky' Mallard
Pauley Perrette
Abby Sciuto
Rocky Carroll
Leon Vance
